Apple’s iPhone 15 event will begin on Tuesday. Here’s what to expect

Apple will hold its most important launch event of the year on Tuesday at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, where it is expected to show off new hardware, including the iPhone 15.

Apple will show a pre-recorded video featuring company executives launching the product, which will be streamed on YouTube and Apple’s website. Last year’s event lasted about an hour and a half. Apple has been using pre-recorded videos to introduce its products since 2020.

Apple’s product launches are important for the company and build hype for the products, while also setting the stage for a marketing blitz leading up to the December quarter, a major sales period. the company’s best of the year. 31 million people have watched Apple’s YouTube videos since last year’s launch, showing that customers still prefer to receive information directly from the company.

This year, the tech giant is hoping the new iPhone can overcome the sales decline, fend off new competition from Huawei and convince Android phone owners to switch.

Apple also announced its new VR headset, Vision Pro, in June ahead of a planned 2024 launch. The company can’t provide updates on its efforts to attract developers, but More details about that product likely won’t be announced until next year. .

Apple’s Macs and iPads are unlikely to have new reveals on Tuesday, as the company typically likes to hold its own events. Last year, Apple announced the new iPad through a press release.

This year’s launch invite features the tagline “Wonderlust,” though the tagline doesn’t necessarily preview what the company will announce. CNBC will cover the launch live from Apple headquarters and with a live blog on CNBC.com.

Last year, Apple announced new iPhones, Apple Watches, and updated AirPods at its September event. Here’s what to expect from this year’s edition:

Apple is expected to launch four new iPhone models, continuing the pattern that has been applied since 2020. If Apple keeps the same naming scheme, this year’s models will share the same iPhone 15 brand.

Apple will likely release two mid-range iPhone sizes, one with a 6.1-inch screen and one with a 6.7-inch screen, as well as two sizes of the higher-end “Pro” phone with a titanium case and camera better, according to reports from Bloomberg News, TF International Securities hardware analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Wall Street analysts.

This year, the biggest change is expected to be the USB-C charging port, replacing Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, introduced in 2012 as the iPhone charger “for the next decade.”

The USB-C charging port on iPhone will match the charging port on Android phones, newer laptops, iPads, wireless headphones, and other devices.

This change is being driven by new European regulations requiring a common charging port. Apple did not appear to mention that the new law requires changes, but it is possible that it will highlight the positives for users, such as convenience and faster charging. It could also give the portal an Apple-exclusive marketing name.

The new Pro models may also have a titanium case, replacing the stainless steel used in some previous models. Titanium is lighter than steel, helping to reduce the overall weight of the phone. The event invitation displays the Apple logo in what looks like a titanium finish.

The lower-end phones – expected to be called simply the iPhone 15 – could be upgraded to what the company calls a “motion island,” or a cutout to hold the facial recognition camera of the phone towards the top of the screen. Last year’s Pro models ditched Apple’s “notch” in favor of an undulating window, which can show real-time updates, such as the distance from an Uber or what’s playing on the app music. The mute switch, which has been on iPhones for more than a decade, could have new functions like a customizable “action button.”

Apple will also likely focus on camera and chip improvements as the reason for the upgrade. According to Bloomberg, the largest and most expensive iPhone model, the larger Pro, may have a new lens that is twice as powerful as the 3x zoom lens on the iPhone 14 Pro.

It’s an open question whether Apple will raise prices. Some analysts think so, noting that costs for components like memory or processors are rising. However, Apple did not increase iPhone prices in the US last year under similar conditions. It regularly adjusts prices worldwide after launch and in response to currency fluctuations.

Last year, Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 and a new premium titanium model called Ultra in September.

Both are likely to get updates this year, although Apple Watches typically don’t get as many major changes year to year as the iPhone. Apple’s popular Watch has had the same size and shape since 2018.

According to analysts, the company will likely upgrade the chip inside the new watch as well as update the health sensor. But Apple may be saving bigger changes for the device’s 10th anniversary next year.

Apple also has a number of accessories that use the Lightning connector, such as some AirPod models, Beats headphones, mice, and keyboards.

AirPods Pro will have a new feature that does not require new hardware called Adaptive Audio. It uses machine learning and software to intelligently reduce volume and cancel noise so users can be aware of their immediate surroundings.

Apple will likely update its accessories to work with USB-C, but updated accessories will likely not be discussed on Tuesday or may be released later.

Even users who don’t intend to buy a new iPhone or Watch will get new software for their devices. Apple previewed the latest operating systems for its devices in June, then released them in September alongside the new iPhones.

Many of Apple’s best new features don’t require new hardware and will be available to everyone with an iPhone released in 2018.

Here are some new features in iOS 17:

• The software includes a revamp of the caller ID screen called the “contact poster,” where users can choose the image that displays when they call other iPhone users.
• Autocorrect has been improved using a transformer-based language model, the same technology that underpins apps like ChatGPT.
• The new Diary app encourages users to save daily thoughts and feelings, and uses on-device machine learning to detect patterns without sending data to a cloud server.
• The new dock mode turns your phone into a clock with widgets that can display alarms, appointments, or other updates.
• A business card replacement service called NameDrop allows two iPhone users to exchange personal information by touching their phones to each other.
• Apple’s offline maps make it possible for users to save large stretches of road and land to navigate even without cell phone service.